Pain Management for the Dentist Webinar

The national prescription opioid crisis will be discussed as it effects Massachusetts and the practice of dentistry. Dentists encounter patients in acute or chronic pain on a daily basis and need to be able to evaluate these patients efficiently and recognize dental and non-dental causes of pain. Based on a sound diagnosis, effective and individual treatment plans are formulated. A variety of medications, including opioids, can be prescribed with the necessary warnings and precautions and recognition of the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Regulatory and practice management issues, including accessing and interpretation of the Massachusetts PAT data, recognizing and treating the at-risk patient, recordkeeping, referrals and consultations, etc will be addressed.

Webinar Highlights:

Learn effective pain management

Understand the prescription opioid crisis and its effect on dental practice

Be able to discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives of commonly used pain medications, including the risks of abuse and addiction associated with prescription opioid medications and appropriate quantities in various clinical situations

Review the clinical, regulatory, and practice management issues involved in prescribing opioid medications, including the proper storage and disposal of prescription medications

Be familiar with Massachusetts PAT data use and interpretation

Know how to identify and manage the at-risk patient including information about opioid antagonists, overdose prevention treatments and instances in which a patient may be advised on both the use of and ways to access opioid antagonists and overdose prevention treatments